The following are the trade-related hearings scheduled for March 29-April 2, 2011:
On March 29, 2011, Representative Levin (D), Ranking Member on the House Ways and Means Committee, discussed the Congressional trade agenda in a speech at the Peterson Institute for International Economics.
On March 29, 2011, both the House and Senate passed the Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2011 (H.R. 1079), a bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the funding and expenditure authority of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund (and associated excise taxes) and to amend title 49, United States Code, to extend the airport improvement program.
Senator Baucus, Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, has announced that on March 31, 2011, the Finance Committee will hold a hearing on “APEC 2011: Breaking Down Barriers” to discuss ways to boost the U.S. economy and create jobs by increasing trade with key Asia-Pacific countries.
The Congressional Budget Office has issued a study, prepared at the request of the Senate Budget Committee, which examines broad alternatives for federal funding of highways, focusing on fuel taxes and on other taxes that could be assessed on the basis of the number of miles that vehicles travel.
On February 8, 2011, Representative McCotter (R) introduced the Freedom Trade Act (H.R. 554), a bill to withdraw normal trade relations treatment from the products of foreign countries that do not maintain acceptable standards of religious freedom and worker rights.
On March 24, 2011, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Baucus (D) called the Chilean government’s decision to open its markets to all ages and all cuts of U.S. beef a significant victory for U.S. ranchers and for the American economy. Baucus, who pressed Chile to lift its unscientific restriction, said that Chile’s announcement is further indication that the U.S. should insist that its trading partners meet international scientific standards and lift all restrictions on U.S. beef.
The Transportation Security Administration testified at a March 15, 2011 House Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on the TSA’s fiscal year 2012 budget request. In his written statement, TSA Administrator Pistole noted that in light of current economic times, TSA identified and absorbed over $152 million in efficiencies and service reductions, redirecting resources toward frontline security operations.
On March 22, 2011, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Baucus (D), Ranking Member Hatch (R) and senior Committee member Grassley (R) called on China to reduce trade barriers to U.S. agricultural products following the release of a report by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC). The report, requested by Baucus and Grassley, details the Chinese government measures that limit U.S. agricultural exports to China. The Finance Committee Senators said this report indicates a greater need for China to remove its harmful and unjustified barriers to U.S. agricultural products.
On February 17, 2011, Representative Michaud (D) introduced H.R. 763, the Safe and Efficient Transportation Act of 2011.